Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Antibacterial Assessment of Zinc Nanoparticles from Arbutus unedo Leaf Extract
Abstract
This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial effects of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) synthesized via a green synthesis method using Arbutus unedo leaf extract. The plant extract served as both a reducing agent and a stabilizer during the ZnNP synthesis. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The UV-Vis spectrum exhibited a maximum absorption band at 371 nm, consistent with the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of ZnNPs. According to the XRD analysis, the synthesized nanoparticles possessed a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 17.37 nm (ranging between 14.41 and 19.33 nm), as calculated using the Scherrer equation. SEM images revealed that the ZnNPs formed flower-like nanostructures. EDX analysis confirmed that the synthesized nanoparticles comprised 60.9% Zn, 21.2% O, 17.5% Na, and 0.4% Ca. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that ZnNPs were effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Microdilution tests conducted on bacterial cultures indicated that the antibacterial effect of ZnNPs increased up to a concentration of 500 µg/mL (p < 0.05). The results manifest that ZnNPs synthesized using Arbutus unedo leaf extract exhibit biocompatibility, eco-friendliness, and high antibacterial activity. This study highlights that biogenic ZnNP synthesis offers a sustainable and effective alternative approach.
Keywords
Green synthesis, zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs), arbutus unedo, antibacterial activity, biogenic nanoparticles
References
- B. Bhushan, Springer handbook of nanotechnology, 4th edition, Springer, 2017.
- M.C. Roco, Nanotechnology: convergence with modern biology and medicine, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 14 (3) (2003) 337-346.
- H. Gleiter, Nanostructured materials: Basic concepts and microstructure, Acta Materialia 48 (1) (2000) 1-29.
- J. N. Tiwari, R. N. Tiwari, K. S. Kim, Zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanostructured materials for advanced electrochemical energy devices, Progress in Materials Science 57 (4) (2012) 724-803.
- S. Jadoun, N.P.S. Chauhan, P. Zarrintaj, M. Barani, R.S. Varma, S. Chinnam, A. Rahdar, Synthesis of nanoparticles using microorganisms and their applications: a review, Environmental Chemistry Letters 20 (5) (2022) 3153-3197.
- S.S. Shankar, A. Rai, A. Ahmad, M. Sastry, Rapid synthesis of Au, Ag, and bimetallic Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles using Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 275 (2) (2004) 496-502.
- H.N. Mrabti, A. Bouyahya, A. Ed-Dra, M.R. Kachmar, N.N. Mrabti, T. Benali, M.A. Shariati, A. Ouahbi, L. Doudach, M.E. Faouzi, Polyphenolic profile and biological properties of Arbutus unedo root extracts, European Journal of Integrative Medicine 42 (2021) Article Number 101266.
- K. Pallauf, J.C. Rivas-Gonzalo, M.D. del Castillo, M.P. Cano, S. de Pascual-Teresa, Characterization of the antioxidant composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruits, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 21 (4) (2008) 273-281.
- P. Scarano, R. Guida, D. Zuzolo, M. Tartaglia, A. Prigioniero, A. Postiglione, G. Pinto, A. Illiano, A. Amoresano, R. Schicchi, A. Geraci, R. Sciarrillo, C. Guarino, An Endemic Plant of the Mediterranean Area: Phytochemical Characterization of Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Fruits Extracts at Different Ripening Stages, Frontiers in Nutrition 9 (2022) Article Number 915994.
- M. El Haouari, N. Assem, S. Changan, M. Kumar, S.D. Dastan, J. Rajkovic, Y. Taheri, J. Sharifi-Rad, An Insight into Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Nutritional Properties of Arbutus unedo L. from Morocco, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021 (2021) Article Number 1794621.